A researcher is interested in the effects of a YouTube video on student learning of a topic in statistics (e.g., how to calculate a correlation coefficient). He randomly assigns 50 students to one of two conditions. In one condition, the students read a traditional text. In the second condition, students view a YouTube video. He measures their performance on a post-test. In this scenario, type of instruction (text versus video) serves as the:
A) Independent variable
B) Dependent variable
C) Moderating variable
D) Mediating variable

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The type of instruction (text versus video) is the independent variable because it is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher to observe its effect on the dependent variable, which is the students' performance on the post-test.

A Researcher Is Interested in the Effects of a YouTube